VALDOSTA —
During his near quarter century as Valdosta State’s president, Dr. Hugh C. Bailey took the college to regional university status, developed numerous academics programs, initiated various changes in infrastructure, and formed the school’s first football team.
These accomplishments are as apparent as the name Valdosta State University. What Bailey achieved is as palpable as taking a walk along the campus, or watching the Blazers play football during a fall weekend, or visiting a VSU classroom.
Bailey will long be remembered for the positive changes he brought to Valdosta State and to the Valdosta area.
But since his passing last Friday night, many people have recalled the retired Valdosta State University president’s gracious manner, his ability to encourage, his talent for inspiring people to do their best and strive harder.
Dr. Hugh Bailey exuded kindness and gentility. He had a way of bringing diverse people to the table. He had an innate understanding of people and he was not afraid to show people that he cared for them.
Some may see such attributes as weakness. If they made such an assumption about Bailey, they would have been highly mistaken.
Dr. Bailey rose from humble beginnings to the ranks of university president. Working with area legislators, he forged Valdosta State into a university though then-Speaker of the House Tom Murphy, arguably the most powerful man in the state, arduously opposed the change. Carrying the effects of a childhood illness throughout his life, Bailey rose before dawn to exercise so his body would be limber enough to meet the busy schedule of his work days.
Hugh C. Bailey was a tenacious individual. If he wanted to accomplish something, he went after it with clarity of vision and a conviction of purpose.
He was a tough man but he was a kind man.
He did not crush people who opposed his views. Bailey made his dreams into reality through positive efforts, by winning people over. Rather than defeating those who opposed his ideas, Bailey had a way of including them in his victories.
As people gather this morning for his funeral service, Dr. Bailey’s example teaches one more lesson, especially in these times when many leaders feel the need to put down others to raise themselves.
Hugh Bailey lifted others and changed the course of an entire community.
What We Think
The Strength of Dr. Bailey
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
